Karunanidhi hits back at Swamy, says no irregularities in land scam

Chennai, Feb 8 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M Karunanidhi has refuted the charges of irregularities in the allotment of land under the discretionary quota, and hit back at Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy for seeking sanction for his prosecution on the issue.

Karunanidhi made a submission in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, saying the discretionary quota was not 'DMK specific' and had been in vogue even during the tenure of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

"Eighty five per cent of allotments were being made through draw of lots of applications for Tamil Nadu Housing Board lands and houses. The rest had been given under discretionary quota. The plots or houses under both categories had been given at the same price," said Karunanidhi.

The DMK patriarch charged Swamy with trying to twist facts over the issue.

"Plots and houses had been given at market rate to both applicants and beneficiaries under discretionary quota. Tamil Nadu Housing Board fixed the price of the land or house based on current market value or the sub-registrar office guidelines, whichever was higher," he added.

On Monday, Swamy sought the sanction of Governor Surjit Singh Barnala to prosecute Karunanidhi for alleged abuse of discretionary powers of his office in allotment of Tamil Nadu Housing Board flats and plots.

Demanding the immediate resignation of Karunanidhi, Swamy told journalists that this was only the first of the 23 cases of corruption in which he would seek the Governor's permission to prosecute the Chief Minister.

Swamy handed over the petition, seeking the Governor's sanction to prosecute the Chief Minister under Sections 11 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, which deal with misconduct by public officials.

"The Tamil Nadu Housing Board has definite procedures for the allotment of flats and plots, that also govern the 15 per cent discretionary quota for the government. All that has been violated," said Swamy.

"Tamil Nadu Housing Board allotments are meant for those who are not well-off and who do not already own property. But Karunanidhi gave (the flats) to IAS and IPS officers, judges, clerks and a wide range of persons who are already wealthy," he added.

Swamy's petition to the Governor includes a list of some ineligible persons, who have been allotted flats and plots in prime areas. Names include DMK party functionaries, IAS and IPS officials and their family members.

Swamy also called, in his petition, for the cancellation of all improper allotments and the reclaiming of such properties through the institution of a case in court. (ANI)